Nagelsmann Out, Tuchel In: Why Bayern Munich made their managerial change

 

Julian Nagelsmann has been sacked by Bayern Munich. Wait! What? Under Nagelsmann, the perennial German champions have impressively racked up a supreme eight wins from eight in the Champions League this season, cruising past PSG in last round, while also comfortably beating La Liga leaders Barcelona twice too. Seeking an 11th Bundesliga title on the spin, Bayern lurk just a solitary point behind leaders Dortmund and are safely into the German Cup quarter-finals. With their treble hopes still firmly intact, Nagelsmann has been rewarded with the boot by the Bayern board rather than any manager of the month award. 

 

On the face of it, it does seem a harsh decision to relieve the 35-year-old Nagelsmann of his duties, but let’s delve into some of the underlying factors behind the Bayern board’s savagery. 

 

Firstly, let’s look at the bread and butter of the Bundesliga where Dortmund have started this year with nine wins out of 10, while Bayern have garnered 10 fewer points than their nearest challengers to fritter away top spot. 

 

When the rumour mill is in full swing there’s always talk of the manager losing the dressing room and Nagelsmann has been no different. There’s been rumblings about falling-out with key players. It started last year with the main man Robert Lewandowski, who was very critical of the fledgling coach in his debut season. There’s also talk that some of the stars believe that Nagelsmann wants to make it too much about him and puts himself in the limelight a little too much for their liking. His new love interest, a relationship with a tabloid journalist from publication Bild, also did not contribute to a healthy, trusting feeling in the inner sanctuary of the dressing room. 

 

This season, there’s been another high-profile falling out with Manuel Neuer and his long-standing goalkeeping coach Toni Tapalovic, who left the club in a serious huff. Serge Gnabry’s fashion show trip to Paris was handled badly and created the wrong sort of headlines for the coach. A few too many untimely dressing room leaks to the press have proved to be a regular thing in Nagelsmann’s tenure. 

 

 

And it's Thomas Tuchel who has taken over from Nagelsmann. This is not Bayern’s first crack at getting Tuchel. The German could easily have become coach in 2018 after Carlo Ancelotti was given heave-ho. Back then, differences among the Bayern hierarchy Uli Hoeness and Karl-Heinz Rummennigge over his "suitability" were mooted. “Mr Bayern” Hoeness, a sausage producer and meat lover, was seen as particularly sceptical about Tuchel’s personal qualities, including his veganism, after a less than discreet falling out at Borussia Dortmund. 

 

Rummennigge was a bit more forgiving of his eating habits and highly rated his coaching ability. Meanwhile, Hoeness was desperately trying to convince old friend Jupp Heynckes to stay on and help them out just one more time. As Bayern ummed and aaahed, months and deadlines for decisions passed and Tuchel, never short of suitors, finally agreed terms with PSG. Ultimately, Bayern were forced to plump for third-choice Niko Kovac as their new head coach in the summer of 2018.  

 

Bayern did not want to miss out on their man Tuchel again and would have been highly aware that both Tottenham and Real Madrid were eyeing  the former Chelsea man as an option as head coach. While the Spanish giants might be happy to wait until the end of the season, Spurs’ situation is rather more urgent and pressing with Antonio Conte’s exit seemingly a forgone conclusion. Therefore, with Spurs lurking, Bayern seemed to have pulled the trigger immediately on Nagelsmann, so that Tuchel does not escape their clutches like he did in 2018. 

 

With regards the Holy Grail of the Champions League, it’s clear that total confidence in Nagelsmann was lacking from the Bayern board especially with their quarter-final tie against Manchester City looming large. This April extravaganza sees the high-profile return of Pep Guardiola and despite a brilliant 100% record in the competition this season, it’s clear that the hierarchy had HUGE doubts that Nagelsmann and his troops would prevail against Pep’s charges. One coach can boast a decent record against Guardiola in recent seasons, including a famous Champions League final success for Chelsea in 2021. Ladies and gentlemen, step forward Tuchel. 

 

Another potential factor in play, apparently Nagelsmann has been released not sacked per Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg. Given Bayern paid a reported €25m to lure Nagelsmann from RB Leipzig on a multi-year deal, this is important as other clubs would surely be keen - *cough* Spurs *cough* - to speak to the young, vibrant coach with a huge future ahead of him. Any potential approach and deal from say Spurs, would affect his Bayern severance package. Financial factors with millions at stake are always important, even at mighty FC Bayern. 

 

Still, on Friday evening, we are saying “Auf Wiedersehen” Julian Nagelsmann and “Willkommen” Thomas Tuchel at the German giants Bayern Munich. Buckle up; it’s going to be one hell of a ride.

Nagelsmann Out, Tuchel In: Why Bayern Munich made their managerial change